The Bleeders - As SweetAs Sin

Wed 9th Aug, 2006 in Music Reviews

As Sweet As Sin, is the debut full-length album from New Zealand act The Bleeders and their first release on major label Universal. It was recorded in New Jersey’s well-known Big Blue Meenie Studios (host to an array of big bands including The Misfits, Anti-Flag and Mighty Mighty Bosstones). To me, it seems as though the label may have pushed for more radio-friendly, poppier songs than those that featured on their 2003 EP A Bleeding Heart. That being said, the album is still full of great rock songs that will have you singing along.

The first track ‘The Kill’ is perfect for an album opener as it is catchy and instantly grabs your attention, demanding you keep listening. Unfortunately this can’t be said for all of the songs on the album. ‘Secrets’ lacks energy and is slightly boring. ‘Nightmares’ and ‘Night Sky’ didn’t really grab me either. However there are definitely some great tracks on the record that make up for those not so great ones.

One of the best songs on the album is ‘S.O.S.’, which features Danny Diablo. It’s a loud, energetic and fast hardcore punk track with great lyrics:

“Hardcore punk rock ‘n’ roll
Just can’t fight what’s in our soul
Talk your shit behind the screen
Want no part in that fuckin’ scene“

With those lyrics, I can see the crowd chanting along to this one at a live Bleeders performance. At just 1:13, it’s a pity it is over so soon!

Another stand-out track is ‘Out of Time with it’s beautiful and achingly honest lyrics:

“It’s not the love that you sacrifice
It’s the time spent here by your side
Just such a waste of life…

All I see are shades of grey
Friends like you I can’t replace“

Other tracks I really enjoyed were the punk-rock number ’Wild At Heart’ and the more aggressive ‘Bleeding Heart’, the title track from the EP, that was re-recorded for the full-length.

Most of the album’s songs feature gang-choruses and chanting, which you could get sick of but don’t because The Bleeders do it so well and the formula just seems to fit perfectly with their song style.

The album production, done by Sal Villanueva (whose previous credits include Taking Back Sunday, Thursday and My American Heart), is very done well without being overdone. The songs have a big sound and although the vocals occasionally overshadow the instruments, the great musical ability of the band is still clearly shown. I loved the album art – different coloured sketches for each song throughout the sleeve.

As Sweet As Sin is a solid album with some great songs definitely worth a listen but unfortunately it gets a bit soft at times and doesn’t manage to capture the amazing energy the band emits from the stage.